Mainland Britain Extremes

[Horbury56]

I was talking to a chap the other day who had done a road trip with his brother. In less that 24 hours they visited the most northerly, westerly, southerly and easterly points of mainland Britain (not in that order). They shared the driving, and used whichever roads they needed to. I like the idea of doing a similar trip, but plan to do it solo, and at a more leisurely pace in about 12 months' time.

For the purposes of this trip, The reference points are:
North: Dunnet Head
West: Corrachadh
South: The Lizard
East: Lowestoft Ness

I haven't decided whether to do this as a hub & spoke model, ie - four trips, each to one point and then back home, or as a round trip. I'm open to either idea. I'd like to stick to single carriageway roads - if I'm stuck behind traffic I'll dawdle and admire the scenery, if making progress is appropriate then I will do that. So driving roads are good, and I don't mind if they are likely to be congested if they are scenic.

I am very happy to stay away, particularly if there are points of interest to explore. And I don't mind eating and drinking on my own if there is a good place to stay.

I hope the PH hive mind can recommend some good drives (whether scenic or exhilarating) and enjoyable places to stay with quality beer, food and beds.

Edited by Horbury56 on Friday 23 June 21:13

[M11rph]

Great idea.

Here's a Google Maps link with the 4 points on to get people started and edit away to their heart's content.

[sherman]

You could do the north and west as part of an NC500 trip.
I wouldnt advise it in a day trip. If you avoid the A9 most of northern scotland is at best a lane each way at worst a tarmac strip with grass down the middle and free roaming sheep and cattle.

[silentbrown]

You get bonus points for avoiding both Land's End and John O'Groats!

I might change "mainland" to "without a ferry", which I think means you get to visit Neist Point on Skye.

I'd probably do it as a 'circular tour, so maybe London to the Lizard, North Cornwall/Exmoor, up through Wales, up to Skye/Dunnet Head, Cairngorms to Edinburgh, York, Lincoln, Norwich, then back.

If you take less than a week, you're not doing it right.

[hidetheelephants]

The old man did this once; he started here on the Clyde and went anti-clockwise, following whatever road was closest to the sea. He got as far as Pembroke before he got bored and came home.

[Riley Blue]

We've done something similar to the OP's idea: south - north (LEJoG) and west - east (St Davids to Ness Point) but on two separate occasions and sticking to B roads and white roads as much as possible to make the trip more interesting. To make it more of a challenge we went in our '63 Riley and navigated using tulip diagrams, driving about 200 miles a day so we could enjoy the scenery.

We're looking for something to do next year to commemorate my 75th birthday so may have a go at 'Britain's Extremes'.